Double tethered push-in tab

ABSTRACT

A non-detachable ring type push-in tab having a pair of diametrically arranged tethering lugs which are attached by integral rivets to the container end panel and provide a pivot axis accommodating tilting of the ring to break the score in the panel therebeneath. The tethering lugs have intermediate curl portions which are adapted to be straightened attendant to the ring being pressed inwardly of the container to break open a scored closure flap and thereby provide a pour opening for the contents of the container. The dual tethering lugs prevent the user from breaking the ring off or attempting to lift it out of its enclosing cavity, and permit movement of the ring into the opening to shield the edge.

United States Patent [191 Smith Oct. 14, 1975 DOUBLE TETHERED PUSH-IN TAB Primary ExaminerGeorge T. Hall [75] Inventor; David smith, BarringtOn, "L Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John J. Kowalik; Joseph E.

Kerwin; William A. Dittmann [73] Asslgnee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

[22] Filed: Apr- 25, 197 A non-detachable ring type push-in tab having a pair Appl. No.: 464,265

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1974 Wells et a]. 220/277 of diametrically arranged tethering lugs which are attached by integral rivets to the container end panel and provide a pivot axis accommodating tilting of the ring to break the score in the panel therebeneath. The tethering lugs have intermediate curl portions which are adapted to be straightened attendant to the ring being pressed inwardly of the container to break open a scored closure flap and thereby provide a pour opening for the contents of the container. The dual tethering lugs prevent the user from breaking the ring off or attempting to lift it out of its enclosing cavity, and permit movement of the ring into the opening to shield the edge.

14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet2of2 3,912,115

DOUBLE TETHERED PUSH-IN TAB DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Current ecology programs mandate manufacturers to provide for containers easy opening devices which cannot be detached. Ring-type push-in openers have been proposed which comprise a single integral tether extending radially from the ring and anchored at its distal end to the container. One of the problems encountered has been that it in appearance it is very similar to the common ring pull type tab and there is a normal tendency for the user to pull the ring away from the end panel of the can and break the tab off. Supplementary locking devices are used to secure the ring in the pour opening after the closure flap is pushed in, but are of no use to prevent misuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to push in tabs and more specifically to a tab which is easily secured to the end panel in a manner which does not inhibit its functionality andwhich normally cannot be broken away so that it will invariably remain attached to'the container.

The invention comprehends a novel tethering arrangement for an opening device which is conductive to the user properly operating the opening device.

A more specific object is to provide a novel tethering mechanism which not only serves to retain the push in ring with the container, but which also provides a pivot axis accommodating tilting of the ring which is adapted to be. pressed inwardly first at one side of the axis of pivot to break the score and then at the other side of the tethers to further push the closure flap into the container and thus complete opening of the pour opening.

These and other objects and advantages inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become more readily apparent from the specifications and the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the parts in open positon; and

FIG. 4 is a still further enlarged fragmentary crosssection taken substantially on line 4.-4 of FIG. 2 showing the parts when the container is opened.

FIGS. 5 8 illustrate another-embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 being a fragmentary perspective view of a container embodying the invention;

FIG. 6 being a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 being an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of FIG; 6 showing the closed portion of the parts; and I FIG. 8 being a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the open position of the parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is shown applied to a typical steel or aluminum container 2 which comprises a cylindrical body 3 which is conventionally connected by a chime 4 to a chuck wall 5 of an end closure 6 which has an end panel 7. f 1

The panel 7 is provided with a depression 8 formed by a frusto-conical wall 9 integral with panel 7. Wall 9 merges into a wall section 10 forming the bottom of the depression or cavity 8. Wall section 8 is provided with an anti-rupture score 11 which encompasses a rupturable preferably crush type tear score 12 of circular C- shape, the score 12 terminating at opposite ends of an unscored hinge portion 13 which connects wall section 10 with a portion of an inwardly convexed closure flap or tab 14 which is incribed in the tear score 12.

A push in ring 15 has a cylindrical portion 16 fitted into the cavity in alignment with the tear score and is provided with a sharpened or chamfered diagonal inner edge 17. The leading end 18 of the portion 16 is of greatest axial depth and is provided with an outwardly projecting locking nib 19 intermediate its top and bottom ends 17 and 20. The nib is adapted to snap through an opening 22 which is formed upon the flap 14 being turned away from the wall portion 10 attendant to a person pressing upon the flanged upper end 25 of the push in ring at one side of the axis of the securing lugs 26, 26 as defined by line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Under such circumstances the lugs 26, 26 otherwise turned tether means are caused to twist and deform the curled circular segments 27, 27 thereof. The ring or opener is pushed at such side until the score is ruptured and the flap partly pushed in and the nib napped under the .bottom side 28 of the position 10.

The tilted position of the ring is maintained since the lugs are twisted about their longitudinal axes inasmuch as the distal ends 30, 30 of these lugs are secured to the panel at diametrically opposite sides of the cavity by integral rivets 31, 31 formed in the panel and passing through openings 32, 32 in said distal ends and having heads 33, 33 flattened thereover.

As best seen in FIG. 4 to complete the operation of opening the flap, the user presses the ring at 35 which is diametrically opposite to point 36 which the user pressed first. Upon pressing at 35 the panel is engaged by the back section 37 of the lower edge of the ring (FIG. 4) which causes the flap to swing inwardly bending the hinge portion 13' as shown in FIG. 4.

The ring is completely entered into the opening 22 and the curled sections 27 of the vincular segments 26 are elongated to accommodate the travel of the ring from the unopened position of FIG. 13 to the opened position of FIG. 4 whereat a flange 38 of the ring 15 seats upon portion 10. The liquid in the container is then adapted to be poured through the ring which serves as a shield against any sharpness in the edge of the opening 22.

Thus a novel, simple and effective means is provided which serves to open the container, the locking nib also serving as a fulcrum against the underside of the portion 10 to prevent exit of the leading portion of the ring whilst the rear portion is being depressed attendant to untwisting of the lugs 26, 26. The ring cannot be removed and the flap remains within the container thus providing a container in which the parts cannot be separated in normal usage.

- EMBODIMENT o1= FIGS. 5-8

This embodiment is similar to the one previously described and like parts will be identified by corresponding reference numerals.

In this construction the ring is provided with two diametrically disposed tethers 26 and 26. The tether or vincula 26' extends from the inner edge or margin 17 of the cylindrical body portion 18 of the ring. The

tether or lug 26' extends radially inwardly from portion 48 and is located diametrically over the concave bverse or upper side 14a of the flap or tab 14 which is formed eccentrically thereof with an integral rivet 50 which extends through opening 51 in the distal or free end 52 of the tether 26. The rivet 50 is headed at 53 over the lug 26 whereby securing the ring to the flap.

The flap score 12 terminates at 13 to provide a bendable hinge which is directly beneath the lug 26'.

In the instant embodiment as well as the preceeding one, the edge 17a of the ring may be provided with three spaced points 54, 54 and 55. The points 54, 54' are disposed at opposite sides of lug 26' and the point 55 is in alignment with the longitudinus of the external lug 26 secured by rivet 31 to the panel 7. The inner lug 26' is located diametrically opposite to the point 55.

In operation in order to open the container the user presses down with his thumb or finger at A above point 55, thus rupturing the score at B. By moving the pressure area alternately to the sides of the ring at C--C' the side points 54, 54 are depressed against the respective lateral edges of the score further breaking the score and as the ring is depressed into the cavity the flap is swung inwardly. The ring is accommodated lateral rocking motion about an axis along the line 7-7 by twisting lug 30. The person finally depresses the ring at D above the lug 26 and completes the insertion of the ring and pivoting of the flap inwardly. As the ring is depressed into the cavity at A the radially outwardly projecting nib 19 passes through the opening 22 and snaps under the reverse side 28 of the panel. Thus the ring is prevented from rocking out of the cavity and the nib serves as a fulcrum and pivot for the ring which acts as a lever assisting in breaking the score. It will be seen that lug 26 has a curl 27 and lug 26 has a curl 57 and that the curls tend to straighten out and permit the lugs to lengthen as the ring is pushed into the opening 22.

, In both embodiments the user is precluded from pulling the ring out of the cavity and in the embodiment of FIGS. -8, the lug 26 and the rivet securing it to the flap additionally provide an obstruction to the entryof a person's finger into the ring further precluding removal of ring the container.

Having described a preferred embodiment of the application, it will be understood that various modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising:

container component means including a surface;

flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough;

means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and

plural independent retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to at least one of said component and flap means.

2. A container comprising:

container component means including a surface;

flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough;

means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and

retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to said container component means,

vsaid retaining means providing an axis of pivot for said force applying means to accommodate tilting thereof in applying force to said flap means; and

said retaining means comprising vincular attachments disposed at opposite sides of the force applying means.

3. The invention according to claim 2 and said vincular attachments being twistable about a common axis.

4. A container comprising:

container component means including a surface;

flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough;

means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and

retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to said container component means, said retaining means providing an axis of pivot for said force applying means to accommodate tilting thereof in applying force to said flap means; and

said force applying means comprising a ring and said retaining means comprising lugs extending outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of the ring.

5. The invention according to claim 4 and integral rivets formed on the container component means and connecting remote ends of said diametrically extending lugs to said component means.

6. A container comprising:

container component means including a surface;

flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough;

means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and

retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to said container component means, said retaining means providing an axis of pivot for said force applying means to accommodate tilting .thereof in applying force to said flap means; and

said retaining means comprising lugs extending oppositely from said force applying means and being bendable and elongatable.

7. The invention according to claim 6 and said force applying means comprising a fitment complemental to said opening and adapted to be entered therefor, thereinto attendant to movement of said flap means into the container.

8. The invention according to claim 7 and said component means comprising an end panel and said fitment comprising a tubular structure having a locking nib at one side thereof adapted to snap under said panel to prevent exit of said structure from said opening.

9. A container having a wall element including a scored flap element adapted for removal from closure relationship with said wall element to present an opening therethrough, a tab for applying force to the flap element for accomplishing removal of the flap element from said closure relationship, said tab comprising a ring, and diametrically oppositely disposed vincula on said ring fixedly secured to at least one of said elements.

10. The invention according to claim 9 and said vincula and ring being formed of metal and said vincula having curl portions to accommodate elongation thereof.

11. The invention according to claim 9 and one of said vincula overlying and connecting the ring to said wall element and the other said vincula extending from the ring and connecting the ring to flap element.

12. The invention according to claim 9 and at least one of said vincula extending from the ring inwardly thereof and overlying said flap element and an integral rivet on the flap element connecting said one vincula thereto.

13. A push-in opening device on a container end panel having obverse and reverse sides, a partial score in the panel defining a transversely convexed tab, an integral rivet on the tab projecting from the reverse side to the obverse sides of the panel, a ring having an inner edge opposing said obverse side and in alignment with the score, an integral lug on the ring extending from the inner edge thereof radially inwardly of the ring and having a free end portion connected to said rivet, said rivet and lug obstructing digital entry into the ring.

14. The invention according to claim 13 and said lug having a partially curled section adapted to unfold during the opening operation of the tab. 

1. A container comprising: container component means including a surface; flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough; means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and plural independent retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to at least one of said component and flap means.
 2. A container comprising: container component means including a surface; flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough; means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to said container component means, said retaining means providing an axis of pivot for said force applying means to accommodate tilting thereof in applying force to said flap means; and said retaining means comprising vincular attachments disposed at opposite sides of the force applying means.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 and said vincular attachments being twistable about a common axis.
 4. A container comprising: container component means including a surface; flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of Said surface to present an opening therethrough; means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to said container component means, said retaining means providing an axis of pivot for said force applying means to accommodate tilting thereof in applying force to said flap means; and said force applying means comprising a ring and said retaining means comprising lugs extending outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of the ring.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 and integral rivets formed on the container component means and connecting remote ends of said diametrically extending lugs to said component means.
 6. A container comprising: container component means including a surface; flap means adapted for removal from closure relationship with a portion of said surface to present an opening therethrough; means operatively associated with said flap means for applying force to said flap means for accomplishing removal of said flap means from said closure relationship; and retaining means operatively associated with said force applying means to retain said force applying means in permanently attached relation to said container component means, said retaining means providing an axis of pivot for said force applying means to accommodate tilting thereof in applying force to said flap means; and said retaining means comprising lugs extending oppositely from said force applying means and being bendable and elongatable.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 and said force applying means comprising a fitment complemental to said opening and adapted to be entered therefor, thereinto attendant to movement of said flap means into the container.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 and said component means comprising an end panel and said fitment comprising a tubular structure having a locking nib at one side thereof adapted to snap under said panel to prevent exit of said structure from said opening.
 9. A container having a wall element including a scored flap element adapted for removal from closure relationship with said wall element to present an opening therethrough, a tab for applying force to the flap element for accomplishing removal of the flap element from said closure relationship, said tab comprising a ring, and diametrically oppositely disposed vincula on said ring fixedly secured to at least one of said elements.
 10. The invention according to claim 9 and said vincula and ring being formed of metal and said vincula having curl portions to accommodate elongation thereof.
 11. The invention according to claim 9 and one of said vincula overlying and connecting the ring to said wall element and the other said vincula extending from the ring and connecting the ring to flap element.
 12. The invention according to claim 9 and at least one of said vincula extending from the ring inwardly thereof and overlying said flap element and an integral rivet on the flap element connecting said one vincula thereto.
 13. A push-in opening device on a container end panel having obverse and reverse sides, a partial score in the panel defining a transversely convexed tab, an integral rivet on the tab projecting from the reverse side to the obverse sides of the panel, a ring having an inner edge opposing said obverse side and in alignment with the score, an integral lug on the ring extending from the inner edge thereof radially inwardly of the ring and having a free end portion connected to said rivet, said rivet and lug obstructing digital entry into the ring.
 14. The invention according to claim 13 and said lug having a partially curled section adapted to unfold during the opening operation of the tab. 